Category: Florida local

Robinson Nature Preserve
“Robinson Preserve is located in northwest Bradenton…. Including the recently acquired “Expansion” and Winston tract properties, the preserve now consists of 682 acres that is a mix of preserved mangrove, tidal marsh, and former agricultural lands which have undergone an incredible transformation  to coastal wetland habitat.”  “Bike or roller blade on 2.5 miles of paved trail, and hikers can explore more than 5 miles of shell and coastal trails.” Thank you to Diane McConnell for bringing this park to my attention.  Here is the park website.  Brochure   Phone 941-742-5923
There is one paved trail that begins at the entrance of Robinson Preserve and traverses the entire preserve ending at Manatee Avenue.  Most of the trails are packed shell through the preserve.  Please help to protect the habitat and resident wildlife by remaining on designated trails at all times.

Joan M. Durante Community Park

?   Joan M. Durante Park, is a 32 acre site on Sarasota Bay two miles from the north end of Longboat Key.    “The park is the result of a private/public partnership to enhance and restore one of the few remaining vacant island properties on Longboat Key to a viable wetland and coastal hammock forest.”  Thank you to Diane McConnell who wrote that the park is a “lovely walk through mangroves and along Sarasota Bay with lookouts and lots of benches.  Paths are crushed hard shell or wood.  No stairs….”   Phone 941-316-1988 or call Longboat Key at 941-316-1999

Pinellas County  Phone 727-582-2100
John Chestnut Sr. Park
Peggy Park Nature Trail is a self-guided nature trail on an elevated boardwalk with a guide cable and Braille interpretive signs.

Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is a linear park and recreation trail currently extending from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs along an abandoned railroad corridor.

Altamonte Springs -Lake Lotus Park
Lake Lotus Park is s a 150 acre nature preserve in Altamonte Springs.  It is open Thursdays through Sundays.
There is a mile long boardwalk, but no description of how easy it is to get on and off.  A shuttle from the parking lot to the heart of the park runs every 45 minutes, but again, no mention as to whether it can accommodate wheelchairs.  Better call before you go.  Here is a description from Florida Hikes.  Reviews on Yelp.  Phone 407-293-8885  This is Altamonte Springs’ website.   Lake Lotus Park

West Palm Beach Parks and Recreation
Grassy Waters Preserve of West Palm Beach has accessible trails.  The Preserve is a 23 square mile “remnant of the once great Everglades system.  A mosaic of wetlands, tree islands, and forested hammocks, Grassy Waters Preserve is home to a variety of native wildlife.”   There are a number of attractive-sounding trails.  Trail System    Call for trail conditions: 561-804-4985  Here are the websites for Grassy Waters and for West Palm Beach Parks and Recreation.
 Cypress Boardwalk Trail 1 mile round trip through marsh and cypress swamp.  It is “wheelchair and stroller friendly”.  Brochure
? Hog Hammock Trail 4.23 miles round trip crushed concrete with intermittent boardwalks through “…restored and natural wetland communities including cabbage palm hammock, mesic pine flatwoods, forrested wetlands, and cypress domes.” Brochure
Apoxee Trail 0.5 miles connecting to other trails, which may be easy depending on trail conditions.  Brochure

Volusia County  Phone 386-239-7873
These beaches do not offer the kind of natural trails this website is really about, but they do offer facilities for disabled visitors.
Daytona Beach  Accessibility   Phone 386-255-0415  Wheelchairs

New Smyrna Beach  Brochure

Smyrna Dunes Park in New Smyrna Beach (Volusia County)
This park has “… over 2 miles of boardwalk with views of the Indian River, Ponce Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean. A great view of the lighthouse while walking. Meet other dog lovers and see a wide variety of animals, birds, reptiles, marine life and vegetation in their natural habitat. Note: pets must be leashed at all times.”  This quote is from the New Smryna Beach Visitors Center site.  Phone 386-424-2935.